Mid Century Designers
As a Mid Century Modern collector (gotta have originals) or enthusiast (you aren’t above reproductions), you realize that knowing the artists and designers of the period is critical to your collecting and appreciating success.
Here we’ve listed the top designers in all Mid Century Modern genres: art, fabrics, furniture, jewelry and accessories. An original Harry Bertoia or Margaret de Patta piece can fetch three to 10 times more than a reproduction. Of course, the piece must be verified by an expert. The auction houses are very good about authenticating and providing any piece’s background.
At an estate or yard sale, however, you often have to trust your own knowledge and experience. Understanding the styles of these unique artists can help you snap up a piece another believes has little value.
If a piece is “in the style of” a known designer, you can interpret that it’s a reproduction. A reproduction isn’t necessarily low quality, it just wasn’t created by the artist in his or her lifetime.
Do a Google image search of each of the following artists to get an idea of their style.
While big names like Picasso and Pollock get prices in the hundreds of millions, still the art community values other Mid Century Modern artists that may be within your budget. The best Mid Century Modern artists include:
- Pable Picasso
- Georgia O’Keefe
- Jackson Pollack
- Marcel Duchamp
- Frida Kahlo
- Andy Warhol
- Kazevir Malevich
- Piet Mondrian
- Salvador Dali
- Lucienne Day
- Mary White
- Alexander Girard
- Terrance Conran
- Arne Jacobsen
- Eero Saarinen
- Florence Knoll
- George Nelson
- Harry Bertoia
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Isamu Noguchi
- Arne Jacobsen
- Gio Ponti
- Charles & Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Florence Knoll
- George Nakashima
- George Nelson
- Margaret de Patta
- Alexander Calder
- Georg Jensen
- Harry Bertoia
Good luck in your Mid Century Modern collecting adventures!